Florida Defective Securities Lawyer

ETF’s, REIT’s, CDO’s, TICS, & CMO’s

As we have learned in the last market cycle, some securities products (such as Exchange Traded Funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Collaterized Debt Obligations, Tenants In Common, Collaterized Mortgage Obligations) should never have been sold to most investors. Our experienced Florida securities lawyer is here to help, contact us today.

All too often, products that are designed for sophisticated investors whose investment strategies are significantly more complicated than that simple buy and hold strategy of the average investor. Such products are designed to address specific needs for large, sophisticated investment managers, day traders and other financial professionals. However, these products are very complex and typically have hidden risks. This means that products like these should rarely, if ever, be sold to average investors. Examples of such products are:

Leveraged ETFs

These products are designed to trade like stocks but at multiples of their target index. In other words, a Triple-Leveraged ETF that follows the S&P 500 would be designed to return three times the return on an investment in the S&P 500 index itself, but also incur three times the loss if the S&P 500 went down. These products are designed to be day-traded, not held long term. Because of the way the products are structured and readjusted, long term investments in these products will only return a loss in the long-term. These are too often sold without proper risk disclosures as ways to recoup losses or magnify gains. Unfortunately, these investments tend to neither, and instead just amplify losses.

Non-Traded Private Placements

These are highly illiquid, oftentimes very speculative investments. This category includes Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Oil and Natural Gas Limited Partnerships. Once the investment is made, it can be very difficult for the investor to cash out of the investment without paying a large penalty or incurring a substantial loss. Sold as safe, high income generating investments, these appeal to conservative retirees who are living on a fixed income. However, the inherent risks and inability to freely sell are often hidden from investors until it is too late.

Commodity Futures

For a knowledgeable, sophisticated investor, speculating on commodity prices can be a way to make substantial profits. However, for the average investor, making an informed decision can be nearly impossible. Commodities are a very unique category of investments. Even investors who have significant experience in stocks and bonds can be overwhelmed by the commodities market. The average, unsophisticated investor should not venture into these products. Investors may believe that they are being safe by buying goods. However, what they are actually doing is speculating on the price of that good at some point in the future, which can be very risky.

Tenant in Common Investments

Touted for the tax benefits and steady income stream they offer, TICs have become a booming industry. However, investors may not appreciate the risks that stem from them. The investor also has little control over the way the property is managed. These are long term, illiquid securities that cannot be easily sold, and can lose much of their value.Brokers may only highlight the benefits of a TIC without properly advising a client of the risks. Such investors can find themselves holding a losing investment that they are unable to sell.

CDOs, CMOs and MBSs are largely credited with causing the problems that led to the Great Recession of 2008. These investments were sold as safe, creditworthy products, despite being just the opposite. Companies bundle bad loans together with some good loans, and through creative accounting, were able to obtain good credit ratings for them. They then sold pieces of these “bundles” to investors, who eventually realized huge losses when the bad loans were defaulted on.

Like the other products on this list, these too were sold by brokers who minimized the risks and left their clients “holding the bag” when the investments failed.

Get Legal Help Today

If you have suffered significant financial losses, you have rights. Contact Florida securities lawyer Gregory Tendrich, P.A. to learn more about what we can do to help you recover your investment losses.